Metal Power Amp Shoot Out! ISP Stealth vs Seymour Duncan Power Stage 170 vs Matrix GT800FX!

[@petercallaway3376]

#1 ISP #2 SD #3 Matrix they all sound good. You have a GREAT sounding rig and great tone!

[@rva11]

Excellent demo and some very good comparison points at the end. Thank you!

[@markchristopher4165]

This is great, thanks!

[@NaceK84]

good job dude! the isp and sd sound very very close, whereas the matrix sounds somewhat like a tube power amp, it has more of everything and that presence/"distortion-like" characteristic sound of a tube power stage, compared to solid state power sections! maybe it's the watts or the build quality or both :)

[@NaceK84]

what preamp did you use? your sound is very warm with all three units

[@JGuitar129]

@@NaceK84 Thank, man! And for this demonstration I was using an Axe FX AX8 with a EVH 5150 III Red Channel preset! :)

[@the_original_jt]

Matrix sounded thinner, but more open. The Stealth and SD sounded better to me.

[@lordovthorn2747]

I guess I'll get that ISP amp now for tours

[@jeffreybeutels7663]

Nice tone man! Came here looking for an SS-amp for my Amplifire (running it into a FX Return of 6505 does not do the job for me) but was amazed by that sound of your AX8!

[@JGuitar129]

Thanks, man! I highly recommend switching to a SS Power Amp over a Tube Power Amp mainly because of portability and overall flexibility over your sound.

[@12breacher82]

Power amp class is important to mention here. I prefer the ISP as a class A/B over the Orange Pedal Baby, and way above all the SD offerings. If you are going modeling then the Matrix is ok.

[@TheJMan1K]

So how loud is the ISP compared to the Seymour? I wanna stick a pre amp in front but don’t know which. I was thinking another option could be to take a used Peavey 6505 MH and use the power amp of that in order to get the desired volume. I mostly play in my bedroom but sometimes on the weekends I hang out with my friend who’s a drummer.

[@JGuitar129]

They both get pretty loud, definitely loud enough to be put in front of a drummer! The Peavey 6505 MH could work too, but it won't be as loud as the Seymour Duncan or ISP since I believe the MH is only about 20 watts. Perfect for bedroom volume, but to compete with a drummer you'll need at least 50 watts.

[@amnesiacUb]

nice review!! I like isp &matrix I think dancan is bit high mid boost, what doyou think about it?

[@JGuitar129]

I like the Matrix a lot and the ISP is great too! The Duncan does have equalization knobs for fixing your tone if it has too much mids, treble, etc. I just like how portable the Duncan is compared to the rest!

[@aarons.8532]

How was the volume between the SD and the ISP. Did one get louder over the other? Does either break up once you hit a certain volume? I want to get one of them for rehearsals, and our drummer is pretty loud. I know the ISP is like $150 less than the SD, but if it's not as good, I'm ok with spending more. Thanks!!

[@JGuitar129]

They both seem to get equally as loud, definitely loud enough to be put against a drummer! And I didn't notice any breakup as I went higher in volume. I personally just preferred the SD since it has a 3 band EQ to help with any needed extra bass or treble when cranking up the amp.

[@jakebergen1837]

As far as I understand, the ISP is a class A/B power amp and the SD is a class D power amp. Class A/B is supposed to have more musical sounding clipping so I would actually think the ISP would do better at higher volumes.

[@rafito1280]

To my ears the Matrix sounds closer to a real tube amp. The Powerstage is very close second. The ISP is to clear.

[@cjmy2701]

Ryan Reyes?? When did you stop skating and start shredding?

[@rockstaradventures1]

isp stealth had more balls fuller sounding, the matrix was the thinnest sounding to me.

[@SSVplus]

Yes. Matrix never deserved their fame. They just rode the Axe FX rise to fame.

[@jakebergen1837]

ISP probably sounds better because it's a class A/B power amp instead of class D. Which is supposed to give it smoother clipping and just an overall more musical and tube like sound.

[@edwin260]

Am I crazy, but did anyone think it sounded like a second guitar came in when the it switched to the powerstage? Almost sounded double tracked. Loved the way it sounded. Convinced me to buy a powerstage. The matrix just sounded extra trebly to me. Thanks for the vido.

[@any-jam4467]

Hey so i assume you have a sd powerstage now? Is it loud enough for a drummer with a 8ohm speaker? Also do you have any issues with it or none?

[@dorifavarato4574]

Whats the preamp before EVH 5150-3 pedal??? how is that set output wise

[@freddylopez4508]

ISP is a rich sounding pedal. Has anyone tried it on a gig already? I´m lookin for something that can handle live action with no trouble.

[@Javier-qk7ms]

I am an amateur player but yes I use the Stealth for rehearsal and gigs. I have the original stereo unit but I only need to use one half and turn it like half way to be loud enough for rehearsals or small gigs at parties, it surely can get super loud if you use the mono (bridged) output or both stereo outputs if you are into stereo rigs. Edit: Having a loud speaker like V30s will also make you sound louder.

[@ryan_riffs]

I like the Matrix

[@JGuitar129]

The Matrix is a great power amp! Hopefully they make a pedal sized version in the future!

[@jaychen2000metal]

Just a tad less treble and the tones are pretty good

[@jamesluciano9627]

HOW DO YOU HAVE A DEAD ISLAND TWO POSTER

[@JGuitar129]

Well, it was a promotional poster that I had got at a Gamestop a few years ago! You know, back when Dead Island 2 was "Coming soon!" Lol

[@Stefan-Van-der-Pulst]

Matrix is the thinnest sounding, and with less bass (through my headphones), so I was surprised that he said that it had more bass...In the room it probably sounds completely different than here on YT...

[@thoras1297]

I like the Power Stage 170, sound very bright for me. Is it possible to check them with some normal pedals like Friedman BE, Revv G3 or Mxr 5150 ? Would be awesome !

[@JGuitar129]

I plan to eventually get a Revv G3 so I'll be sure to try it out with the Powerstage!

[@sohibconner6926]

nice video, im amateur guitarist searching for good modeling amp around 150€ to play high gain stuff like Djent nu metal metalcore.. i seen blackstar id core, peavey vypyr, spider V.. which one do you think is best?

[@JGuitar129]

Sohib Conner Hmmm, you can never go wrong with Line 6 and I’ve heard great things in the past about the Peavey Vyper. I’d go with the Line 6 because I’m more familiar with it, but see if you can try both of them out at a Music Shop or Guitar Center you might live by!

[@sohibconner6926]

@@JGuitar129 thanks man, the line 6 spider v is new serie amp, reviews says its better than old line 6 which i see them hated on the internet

[@wethriveIn425]

I’ve the ISP, I can’t seem to get a good tone out of it at all. I tried the Revv, BEod, Airis Carnage, makes em all sound thin and meh, maybe I’m just old.

[@JGuitar129]

It could be because the ISP lacks an EQ were as the Seymour Duncan has one specifically for that reason. Trust me, I hate thin sounding tone as much as the next person does, lol.

[@mabecka]

Get an EQ pedal!

[@SSVplus]

ISP is a true Power Amp. It doesn't like weak signals going in. You'd need true studio Line Level signal going into the ISP.

[@Basedboomerchadbear]

Okay, excellent video. Which one of these three would you choose if money were not a factor in terms of comparison? ...also, did any one of these standout as an obvious lesser of the three? Thanks a million if you are willing to reply 👌😎👍

[@JGuitar129]

They're all great power amps, but I'd say the ISP sounds way too "Solid State" or too digital. If I had to choose, I'd say the Seymour Duncan Powerstage has my vote for both portability and sound. I'd only recommend the Matrix if you have the money to spend and run a rack mount setup.

[@Basedboomerchadbear]

@@JGuitar129 ...wow, thank you so kindly for the reply. Waaaaay cool of you. I am so close to going for the Powerstage, but, I keep getting remorse thinking that I might be ‘missing something’ by not opting for the Matrix. ...I don’t mind rack, as I already have an ADA MP1 rack & Intellefx rack. ...money doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme. .... ...assuming portability isn’t an issue, is Matrix actually ‘better sounding’? Man, so sorry to keep asking more questions, lol! I don’t have access to either to listen to, but, need one. ....any final thoughts in this context would be so welcome. Thanks a million good sir and great playing. Subbed. 🤘🤘🤘

[@EasyHeat]

I dig

[@SSVplus]

ISP is a cleaner proper power amp.

[@glyman1212]

Seymour Duncan Power Stage 170 sounded best. Matrix smile curve too bright. ISP most True.

[@johnnybrit804]

ISP Wins IMO.

[@danyeo]

I don’t hear much difference between them.

[@XxSypherxX91]

Powamplifiers

[@alejandroaguilar4693]

Wow the Seymour Duncan sounds like shit, you should sell it to me for a very low price eh? ;)

[@MichaelDespairs]

Its pronounced 'Maysuh' not Messuh.